Sherry Brockie, as well as trustees Betty Brockie, Paula Clingerman and Mark Singer, recently have come under fire by residents for their roles in approving the raises March 10. Both Sercombe and Jancek voted against the raises.

The resolutions were not on the original agenda but were added after the meeting began.

Singer originally supported the raises, saying that officials work full-time and should be compensated that way. He said the township needs a full-time executive board to run the township. This, along with deputies working part-time, would save in legacy costs for the township, he said.

On Monday, there was some debate among the board on if Singer could rescind his vote. Township Attorney Eric White said rescinding his vote would be “simply symbolic” and nothing else. The action of approving the pay raises still stands.

Singer said he wanted to change his votes because the residents have made it clear that they disapprove the raises and he stands for the voice of the people.

“All I want is change,” Singer said. “I want this board to come together. I don’t want to spend any more money.”

Also on Monday, board also voted unanimously to reduce the treasurer’s salary from $49,260 back to the original pay of $12,600. The pay reduction for the treasurer is only for the current term, and is on the condition that the newly appointed treasurer submits a letter of consent, allowing the reduction to go into effect.

Sherry Brockie vacated the position of treasurer after moving out of the township on Friday, April 4. The board will appoint a new treasurer at a later date.

Jancek said Brockie is no longer getting paid by the township.

Better Blackman, a group of township residents that wants to overturn the pay raises, turned in about 1,900 petition signatures April 1 in an effort to put the pay raises to a vote on the August primary ballot. Voters would then decide if the salary increases for the positions of treasurer, clerk and supervisor would be overturned.

Last week, the township board voted to reduce the salaries of Sercombe and Jancek each from $49,260 back to the original pay of $12,600 and $24,000, respectively. The action only is for Sercombe and Jancek, any future supervisor or clerk would be paid $49,260.

Better Blackman also is working on an effort to recall the board members who voted for the pay raises. Several residents voiced their desire for Betty Brockie, Clingerman and Singer to resign.

Singer said he will not step down from his position.

“I created all this energy in the township and I’m not going to run away from it,” he said. “I’m going to stand here and take my beating.”

Betty Brockie and Clingerman did not comment on stepping down.

Some residents questioned if board members talked about the pay raises outside of a township meeting, potentially violating the Open Meetings Act.

“You’ve broken the faith that you had with the citizens of this township,” said resident Mike Swope, who is working on an effort to recall Brockie, Clingerman and Singer. “There will be a recall. There is no doubt that there will be enough signatures to get this on the ballot.”

Resident Dan Decker, who is also on the township’s planning commission said Brockie, Clingerman and Singer should resign for the embarrassment they have created in the township.

He said their approval of the pay raises was “clearly acting against the interests of the citizens of this township.”

“I don’t think you get it,” Decker said to the three board members. “We’re running a circus operation as long as you three are on the board.”

Blackman Township resident Phil Preston said the township board needs to put the citizens first when making decisions and that the pay raises should have been thoroughly researched.

“The board must work together with fairness for all or be held accountable by the citizens of the township,” Preston said.